Review > Batman & Two-Face (Batman Arkham City, Mattel)

July 13, 2011 | Poe

Until Batman Arkham Asylum, most Batman videogames were at best mediocre and at worst, completely unplayable. But given the character’s popularity and the way he seems to appeal to really great creators in all media, it was just a matter of time until we got a great Batman videogame*–just as we’ve gotten a great Batman movies and a great Batman TV show alongside countless great Batman comics.

Batman in Arkham CityThe “Arkhamverse” has quickly become one of my favorite incarnations of the Batman franchise. Given the presence of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as the Joker and (in the first game at least) Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn, the game was sort of a much more brutal, darker version of Batman: The Animated Series. Given the immense popularity and critical acclaim for the first game and the massive anticipation for its upcoming sequel, it’s not surprising we’re now getting plenty of merchandise from both games.

DC Direct released their first wave of Arkham Asylum figures earlier this year, and the second wave–consisting of Bane, Poison Ivy, Mr. Zsasz and Armored Batman–hits comic ships this week (they should arrive in stores today, actually). But DCD isn’t the only manufacturer making Arkham Asylum/Arkham City figures; at this year’s Toy Fair, Mattel revealed their new Batman Legacy line, which included a two-pack of Batman and Two-Face from Arkham City. (more…)

Guest Review > Kilowog Collect and Connect (DC Universe Classics)

July 12, 2011 | Novelty

Hey y’all, welcome to the new site layout!  It’s Novelty and I’m stoked that I get to do another guest review here.  To be honest though, I also come into this review with a lot of trepidation – Poesters are a scary lot and may eat me up alive if I don’t live up to their expectations and such, so please be gentle, ‘k?
Kilowog from movie poster
Kilowog in ComicsKilowog is the trainer of the Green Lantern Corps new recruits.  He’s from Bolovax Vik, located in Space Sector 674.  He roughly resembles an anthromophic upright-standing hippotamus, towering over everyone else and is always depicted to have vast strength thanks to his physique.  Of course, as a member of the Green Lantern Corps (GLC), he also has his ring which could manifest any construct he could imagine.

His name is interesting.  Kilo, of course, is greek and means a thousand.  It’s present in the English language as part of the metric system (e.g. kilogram, kilometer, etc.).  Wog, is also an English word, although it’s a colloquial British word which has derogatory connotations.  It means a poor non-white foreigner, and survives into the modern era in such words as polliwog and golliwog.  It’s not really politically correct and is rarely used these days.  So Kilowog then, means that he’s a thousand-fold alien, an apt name.  And there ends my English lesson! (more…)

Guest Post > Interview with Spy Monkey Creations

July 11, 2011 | VENENOR

I recently had the pleasure of talking first hand with the three-headed weapon-making machine known as Spy Monkey Creations, Inc.

Team members Jeremy Sung, Brian Stevenson and Bill Murphy are the minds behind some of the coolest custom-produced weapons and accessory packs for action figure collectors today. And as a fellow collector it’s always a bonus when you can find top-notch items that compliment your figures perfectly. From energy-based accessories to swords and shields, Team SMC has amped up many of our action figure arsenals and have made playing, er, posing that much cooler.

Be sure to check out their store if you haven’t already to pick up some of their current available stock.

Now enough of my rambling, let’s get to the interview! (more…)

Choose Your Own Review Adventure!

July 8, 2011 | Poe

So look…I have a HUGE backlog of figures to review. It’s so big, I’ve become mentally paralyzed regarding where to start. So you tell me!

[poll id=”55″]

Odds ‘n Ends > July 8, 2011

July 8, 2011 | Poe

  • As you may have noticed, I’ve reinstated the Poester Gallery forum. It’s less comprehensive than the old one, based on the fact that most of you seem to prefer doing your discussion here on the blog, but I wanted to give you all somewhere to discuss topics I’m not covering. You do need to register to use it–however, you may already have registered for the site via the forum format I used two forums ago, so you may just need to get a password reminder. If that makes any sense.
  • I’m going to give you to the end of the weekend to enter the contest for the three-of-a-kind Poehammer. The contest ends at 11:59pm ET this Sunday.
  • Nomad of the Idle Hands blog has a fantastic, comprehensive list of SDCC 2011 exclusives. Which do you think is the best? While it’s not the one I’m most excited for personally, I think the Starscream Skystriker takes the cake. It’s the perfect exclusive–an awesome repaint that isn’t necessarily a must-have item for your collection (i.e., a unique character, a la Queen Marlena).
  • There seem to be a ton of toy-related online video shows and podcasts these days. I have to admit I am just not that into them–I prefer reading. I can read faster than a person can talk, and I have complete control over how fast and how thoroughly I read an article or review. But I’m curious–do people watch a lot of videos and/or listen to a lot of podcasts? Is this something I should be getting more into?